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The Washington Wizards experienced plenty of success when they were led by John Wall and Bradley Beal, making the playoffs four out of five years from 2014-18. Ever since that iteration of the Wizards, there have been several struggles with the roster construction, injuries, and team chemistry. Wall is long gone, while Beal remains the star in place … at least for now.
Missing the playoffs once again could be disheartening for a star like Beal at the peak of his career, but he continues to showcase his loyalty to the organization and it seems like he will stick around. Adding young guys like Kyle Kuzma, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, and Corey Kispert gives the core of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis a semblance of hope.
However, more help is needed. Washington has picks No. 10 and No. 54 for the 2022 NBA Draft, and these are the prototype of players they must consider in an attempt to build a stronger roster.
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Wizards needs in 2022 NBA Draft
Point guard
Any kind of point guard would heavily benefit this Wizards roster. Trading away Russell Westbrook and Spencer Dinwiddie the past two seasons has opened up a huge hole at the 1, with Ish Smith the only remaining floor general currently on their payroll for next season. The key for the Wizards' front office is to find the orchestrator who could fit their system.
It has been proven that Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma flourish when they have a fantastic point guard who could set them up for better looks. This class is deeper on the wings and forward positions, but choosing Dyson Daniels as a 6-foot-7 point guard could be the move for Washington. Free agency could also be the play when it comes to acquiring a point guard, but selecting a guard could still be a player development project for their franchise.
Versatile forward
The aforementioned names of Kuzma, Hachimura, Avdija, and Kispert are all forwards, but they need a bulkier forward who can pound it with the likes of Anthony Davis or Jaren Jackson Jr. There are some combo forwards who have guard-like skills but could also play at the small-ball center spot for the Wizards. Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford will likely occupy the big-man position, but they will have trouble keeping up with the style of play of a modern big man.
Jeremy Sochan or Keegan Murray would complement the nucleus of Washington because they possess spectacular motors and determination of playing at the collegiate level. Playing this combo forward position for a struggling Wizards roster entails superb two-way prowess that would force coach Wes Unseld Jr. to keep them on the floor.
Tall shot creator
As the point guard position is a bit limited in the lottery for this year's class, the Wizards could be content with a wing who brings down the ball and creates shots for their teammates. The prototype that would fit this style is Frenchman Ousmane Dieng. He would not cut into the playing time of Kyle Kuzma or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but he could play alongside Beal because of his tremendous ball-handling abilities.
There is no rush for their draft selection to have an instant impact because of the veterans on the roster. The key ingredient is for him to have the right attitude and mindset that would be sustainable at the NBA level. Whoever this man would be would play behind tenured and decorated individuals who have a remarkable track record at the professional level. Moreover, their willingness to become an all-around player at the forward position is another instrumental facet that would make their mark in the association.
Washington has the foundational pieces to become a consistent formidable playoff threat in the East, but they must continue adding supplementary players to help out the key pieces already in place.